Themed Lands

[PurpleDragon]

I'll buy that.

But I hesitate to put Potter in the same breath as Star Wars in terms of franchise and pop culture ranking. Perhaps in time Potter would reach those levels...I just fear it was too soon to be sinking so much capital into the venture.

But then it was probably a "now or never" thought process which I can't argue with either.

Exactly, they have to do it while the franchise is at its peak to convince the big wigs to invest in the project.

While I agree with you about putting SW ans HP in the same breath, I was simply making a comparison to show how they each have their own cult fan base. There is no telling where HP will go after the last 2 movies are released. It may completely die a quick and painful death and the WWoHP will become a ghost town, or it may slowly whither away over the course of many years, long enough for Uni to justify their investment.

 

[JohnLocke]

People keep referencing WWoHP as a touchstone in how WDI should or shouldn't be developing new "lands" or refurbing existing attractions...and it keeps bringing me back to a thought I've had about WWoHP since first researching what Universal's done and seen the end result...

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will end up as a catastrophic failure.

Now before people jump all over me for saying let me give my basic thoughts as to why I feel this is the case.

1) The marketing has been completely screwed up. If you look at any main stream press on this new area it is being referred to as a new park for Universal. Which we all know simply isn't the case. This is going to turn off fans and vacationers quickly once they're down there and realize what a small actual footprint WWoHP has.

2) The size of WWoHP. It really is a metric ton of theming and construction squeezed into a rather small foot print. I know it asthetically looks fantastic...but once that place starts busting at the seams with guests this summer and no one can move or really enjoy it...it's going to metaphorically collapse in on itself.

3) If you really look at what WWoHP offers...it isn't much. You have tons of theming...a few new shops and dining opportunities...a few re-themed rides...and one new (although apparently ground breaking) attraction. I'm really not convinced this is enough to make the island a success. Again once guest get down there and experience what there is to experience...what return value is there? Save for attraction in Hogwarts...I'm not seeing much.

4) Lastly...I'm not convinced Harry Potter as a franchise really has the legs as an iconic property. Once the last two films are released...I'm of the opinion that the clock will start ticking on the "hot" factor the frachise has. It's enjoyed a lengthy run of popularity, but at its heart it is a book series and once the films become passe (and they will) I don't think the books themselves will be enough to keep the WWoHP a financial success.

Again this is one man's opine. Take it for what it's worth.

While I agree with you on at least the second point being a concern, I disagree with you on Harry Potter as a whole. The book series is here to stay, no matter where the movies end up falling, and there are more than enough fans of the books, they've averaged over 50 Million sales per book worldwide, to keep people coming in. Also, if the land is well-done, and it appears that it is, the franchise won't matter as much. Jurassic Park is definitely a franchise that has declined, but I think a good number of people still go to that land, and I think Harry Potter should be able to last for a good long while.

 

[Evil Genius]

While I agree with you on at least the second point being a concern, I disagree with you on Harry Potter as a whole. The book series is here to stay, no matter where the movies end up falling, and there are more than enough fans of the books, they've averaged over 50 Million sales per book worldwide, to keep people coming in. Also, if the land is well-done, and it appears that it is, the franchise won't matter as much. Jurassic Park is definitely a franchise that has declined, but I think a good number of people still go to that land, and I think Harry Potter should be able to last for a good long while.

That could certainly be the case and I could be way off base. It's just the way I perceive it as of now.

And personally...while it looks great...the WWoHP just doesn't seem to have that much going for it other than one great attraction and a rabid fan base.

 

[MKCP 1985]

To me, the Fantasyland expansion sort of does what you are talking about. It gives an entire themed land over to the "Disney Princesses" franchise, and that's okay with me.

For something that hasn't been done and that's Disney, hmm . . . the only thing I could think of would be to have made Mickey's Toontown Fair into a legitimately recreated true town where Mickey and Minnie, Donald and Daisy, Goofy and Pluto live, complete with legitimate attractions and not a half-budget kiddie play area. That could have been cool, but I was never a fan of what they built there. It was just an area I could skip all together most of the time.

 

[JohnLocke]

That could certainly be the case and I could be way off base. It's just the way I perceive it as of now.

And personally...while it looks great...the WWoHP just doesn't seem to have that much going for it other than one great attraction and a rabid fan base.

While I would certainly love some more attractions than the one new one, Dueling Dragons is really fun, and it looks like theming of the entire area is going to be remarkable.

 

[blackthidot]

While 1 huge Star Wars land would be awesome Id rather each land get some much needed love or new rides....

 

[Timekeeper]

One interesting aspect of Harry Potter, in support of Universal's decision to create the WWoHP, is the franchise's second-hand popularity. Even for guests who have never read a single HP book or seen any of the movies, many guests will nevertheless have a basic understanding of who HP and the kind of magical world that his stories take place in.

Just look at the Tower of Terror. Plenty of park guests are either too young to have ever seen an episode of the Twilight Zone (or know what the show was), or were never viewers of the series in the first place. Regardless, WDI determined that the television series was "popular enough" to base a feature attraction on.

Now, if Disney opens a TwilightLand, that is when I boycott. :hurl:

 

[JohnLocke]

One interesting aspect of Harry Potter, in support of Universal's decision to create the WWoHP, is the franchise's second-hand popularity. Even for guests who have never read a single HP book or seen any of the movies, many guests will nevertheless have a basic understanding of who HP and the kind of magical world that his stories take place in.

Just look at the Tower of Terror. Plenty of park guests are either too young to have ever seen an episode of the Twilight Zone (or know what the show was), or were never viewers of the series in the first place. Regardless, WDI determined that the television series was "popular enough" to base a feature attraction on.

Now, if Disney opens a TwilightLand, that is when I boycott. :hurl:

Even though they don't do it as much as they did in the past, Disney's was never really afraid to base attractions off of new or underperforming/obscure properties, just look at two of most people's favorite rides, Splash Mountain and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Song of the South hasn't been seen in years and Mr. Toad wasn't really ever a big movie, but even still they were able to make attractions that many people love and kept coming back to. I also believe, though may be wrong, that when Disneyland opened with Sleeping Beauty Castle that movie hadn't even come out yet.

 

[toolsnspools]

This was mentioned in a few other threads, but I can see the Streets of America being re-themed into a Marvel / Superhero land. There are enough characters that they could easily change them out on a regular basis to keep the area fresh. You could incorporate street filming and the possibilities for a D or E Ticket ride are endless.

Given their popularity, it would need to be able to retain the Osborne Light though.

 

[AndyMagic]

Disney can't do that. Universal has the theme park rights for the use of all the major marvel characters east of the Mississippi.

 

[PurpleDragon]

Disney can't do that. Universal has the theme park rights for the use of all the major marvel characters east of the Mississippi.

I don't think they have rights on all the Marvel characters, just the ones being specifically used in their parks. I don't think they have rights to characters like Thor, Capt America, Iron Man, etc...

 

[Evil Genius]

I don't think they have rights on all the Marvel characters, just the ones being specifically used in their parks. I don't think they have rights to characters like Thor, Capt America, Iron Man, etc...

Everything I've read states that from a legal standpoint Marvel characters cannot be used in parks east of the Mississippi as was stated earlier.

Now once that contract is up Disney may decide to press the issue of removing Marvel from IOA, but as of right now, they're simply making money off of property in a competing park.

I'd love to see them in DHS as well though.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Whod have imagined that Disney would have to rely on the creativity of others for concepts to fill their parks.

Maybe they could have a direct to DVD character land.

 

[LoriMistress]

Star Wars would be pretty awesome! IJ wouldn't be to bad either. A Muppets land would be cool, but I don't think it would be on the same level as Harry Potter (IMHO).

 

[PurpleDragon]

Whod have imagined that Disney would have to rely on the creativity of others for concepts to fill their parks.

Maybe they could have a direct to DVD character land.

LMAO!!! That is so full of win, its bursting at the seams. :lol::lol:

 

[danstadnik]

I've noticed a lot of the talk of this has centered around either Lucas or Marvel characters. And quite frankly, Its amazing to me that there is so LITTLE in terms of Star Wars-based theme park attractions anywhere in the world. There really isn't a better film series to use for theming modern thrill rides, IMO. Has anyone thought maybe with the Marvel acquisition Disney is prepping for a 5th park? The "Action Kingdom" for lack of a better name? A Marvel land, a Star Wars land, an Indy land and maybe some rides based off of the Bruckheimer movies they produce. I thought I read that Universal loses their Marvel rights in 2 or 3 more years. I'm not saying it'll happen soon... maybe they'd announce it after the FLE opens. I gotta be honest, there's not a lot in WDW these days that appeals to the modern 12 yr old boy. I gotta think they have SOMETHING up their sleeve to counteract that, right?